Illinois Divorce Forms — Complete Guide (2026)
Illinois has fewer standardized statewide forms than some other states — but illinoislegalaid.org's document assembly fills the gap beautifully.
Best Source: illinoislegalaid.org
Illinois Legal Aid Online's document assembly tool is one of the best in the country:
- Answer questions online
- Generates completed, court-ready forms
- Covers all divorce scenarios
- Tailored to your specific situation and county
- Free
Use this first. It's better than downloading generic forms.
Cook County: Also check cookcountycourt.org for Cook-specific forms and instructions.
Statewide forms: illinoiscourts.gov has some standardized forms.
Which Approach for Your Situation?
| Situation | Path |
|---|---|
| Short marriage, no children, limited assets, both agree | Joint Simplified Dissolution |
| No children, agreed | Standard Uncontested Dissolution |
| With children, agreed | Standard Uncontested with Parenting Plan |
| Spouse unresponsive | Default Dissolution |
Core Forms — No Children
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage Starts the case. States grounds (irreconcilable differences), residency, what you're requesting.
Summons Served on your spouse along with the Petition.
Entry of Appearance Your spouse files this to confirm they're aware of the case. In agreed divorces, this replaces formal service. Fast and free.
Marital Settlement Agreement The written agreement covering all property, debt, and maintenance. Not a standardized state form — generate via illinoislegalaid.org or draft it yourself.
Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage The final court order the judge signs. Incorporates or references your MSA.
Additional Forms — With Children
Parenting Plan Required written document allocating decision-making responsibilities and parenting time. Generate via illinoislegalaid.org.
Illinois Uniform Order for Support The formal child support order. Often incorporated into the Judgment or filed separately.
Income Withholding for Support Wage assignment order sent to paying parent's employer.
Child Support Calculation Worksheet Documents the calculation. Required in all cases with children.
For Joint Simplified Dissolution
Joint Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage Both spouses sign. Covers all terms in one document. Available at illinoislegalaid.org.
Judgment of Dissolution (simplified version) Filed after the hearing.
Cook County-Specific Notes
Cook County (Chicago) has its own forms and procedures that differ from the rest of Illinois:
- Uses Cook County-specific petition forms
- Has a Domestic Relations Division with dedicated judges
- Specific local rules for financial disclosure and prove-ups
- Self-represented litigant resources at cookcountycourt.org/selfhelp
If filing in Cook County, use the Cook-specific resources — don't rely only on statewide forms.
Tips for Illinois Forms
- Illinois Legal Aid's document assembly is the most reliable way to get accurate, complete forms
- Parenting Plans must meet specific statutory requirements under 750 ILCS 5/602.10
- Marital Settlement Agreements should be notarized
- Entry of Appearance should be notarized in some counties — check local rules
- Check your county's specific requirements before filing
FAQ
Are Illinois divorce forms the same in every county? Core forms are similar, but Cook County and some other counties have local supplemental forms. Always check your county Circuit Clerk's website.
Do I need to notarize anything? The Marital Settlement Agreement is typically notarized. Some county Entry of Appearance forms require notarization. Check your specific county's requirements.
Last reviewed: March 2026
Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.